Services

KP's wife rebukes former Hants captain

Kevin Pietersen's wife has sprung to his defence and denied claims that her husband and his former captain Alastair Cook 'squared up' in Sydney while England were descending to an Ashes whitewash.

Jessica Taylor, a singer with Liberty X, took to Twitter to rebuke Dominic Cork, who played one game for Hampshire alongside Pietersen, over his understanding of how badly the England discard and his Test captain's relationship suffered in Australia this winter.

Pietersen's England career is over, it was announced on Tuesday night, as management and selectors seek to establish a new era for Cook's team in the absence of their all-time record run-scorer in all formats.

Pietersen's wife, and former England captain Michael Vaughan, both took issue on Wednesday with ex-Hampshire captain Cork's depiction of an "altercation" between captain and senior batsmen as tempers were lost in Sydney.

"Dominic Cork - there was no 'squaring up' to Alastair Cook or 'off-field antics' in Australia - you are lying, plain & simple," Taylor wrote.

"Regurgitating rumour and spinning it as fact is not what I'd call responsible journalism. The public deserve so much better - the truth."

Vaughan responded in similar tone, acknowledging there were bound to be raised emotions during England's miserable Ashes campaign but questioning the situation escalated as has been reported.

"With the way England were playing I am sure players had lots of strong debate in the Dressing Room," wrote Vaughan.

"But squaring up??? #Nonsense."

Cork had earlier told Sky Sports News: "What I'm hearing is there was an altercation between himself (Pietersen) and Alastair Cook. Cook was one of his friends and wanted him back in when his reintegration happened.

"When you put yourself out there as captain and an altercation happens - I heard there was nearly a dust-up, a fight in the Sydney Pavilion - you can't do that to a captain."

The bombshell that Pietersen has played his last match for England has, meanwhile, reverberated around the world.

The mercurial batsman's former Ashes adversary Shane Warne duly made his thoughts clear, again via Twitter.

Warne wrote: "I also just heard the sad news re KP that he has played his last game for England, to me it's a disgrace & a joke! The ECB is in a shambles."

Pietersen himself describes himself as "so sad" that his international career is over.

The England and Wales Cricket Board decided unanimously that its relationship with the 33-year-old had run its course - following a meeting between new managing director Paul Downton, Cook, limited-overs coach Ashley Giles and national selector James Whitaker.

Pietersen has vowed to stay in the game, and with no international responsibilities he appears to become a more attractive signing for Indian Premier League sides.

He posted a picture of his final Test on Instagram, and added the words: "So sad that this will now be the last time I leave a field in an England shirt... Incredibly overwhelmed by the support overnight! Thank you so much..''

"I love England and I honestly hope they have every success in the future.."

Comments

It's Cooke who should step down. His captaincy has been poor on the field and off - it's his job as captain to keep the team together.

It's Cooke who should step down. His captaincy has been poor on the field and off - it's his job as captain to keep the team together.saint Compo

It's Cooke who should step down. His captaincy has been poor on the field and off - it's his job as captain to keep the team together.

Score: 4

Red_Rock
12:38pm Wed 5 Feb 14

The most telling quote of the whole affair is that from Paul Downton - "The time is right to rebuild not only the team but also the team ethic."

Good riddance to bad rubbish.

The most telling quote of the whole affair is that from Paul Downton - "The time is right to rebuild not only the team but also the team ethic."
Good riddance to bad rubbish.Red_Rock

The most telling quote of the whole affair is that from Paul Downton - "The time is right to rebuild not only the team but also the team ethic."

Good riddance to bad rubbish.

Score: 2

saint61
12:55pm Wed 5 Feb 14

No different to Danni Osvaldo here at the Saints. If you're a disruption that doesn't fit in, no matter how god you are. Then get the next bus that comes along.

No different to Danni Osvaldo here at the Saints. If you're a disruption that doesn't fit in, no matter how god you are. Then get the next bus that comes along.saint61

No different to Danni Osvaldo here at the Saints. If you're a disruption that doesn't fit in, no matter how god you are. Then get the next bus that comes along.

Score: 4

Positively4thStreet
5:23pm Wed 5 Feb 14

Bovvered?!?!

Bovvered?!?!Positively4thStreet

Bovvered?!?!

Score: 0

Red_Rock
1:02pm Thu 6 Feb 14

saint Compo wrote…

It's Cooke who should step down. His captaincy has been poor on the field and off - it's his job as captain to keep the team together.

No one called Cooke involved with England. It seems you don't know what you are talking about.

[quote][p][bold]saint Compo[/bold] wrote:
It's Cooke who should step down. His captaincy has been poor on the field and off - it's his job as captain to keep the team together.[/p][/quote]No one called Cooke involved with England. It seems you don't know what you are talking about.Red_Rock

saint Compo wrote…

It's Cooke who should step down. His captaincy has been poor on the field and off - it's his job as captain to keep the team together.

No one called Cooke involved with England. It seems you don't know what you are talking about.

Ipsoregulated

This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Editors' Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here